ACTION FOR SLANDER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3451, 3 April 1920, Page 5

ACTION FOR SLANDER.

DEFINITION OF “CUDDLE.”

GISBORNE, March 31.

' Reserved judgment was given by' "Mr J. S. Ba.rt’olfS.M., this afternoon, "in the case in which Rhoda Fduntuin brought an action against James Mahoney for alleged slander, and claimed damages amounting to The lwords complained of were that. slxe !had allowed “every man that came along to cuddle hm-" Legal n gulment was taken as to the meaning of the word “cuddle,” and vxhcther it flyinvolvéd unchastity. Counsel for the defence contended ‘that? it only meant “to embrace” or’ ,‘‘to kiss.” ’

In his decision His Wol'ship said he was satisfied that the words were used. He was satisfied that the plaintiff had suffered no material damage. but for her proper and womanly action in reproving a man for using bad language before children she was subjected to coarse insults couched in language calculated to hurt to the utmost the feelings of a woman. He thought the Court was justified in ni‘al-king this. aspect of the incident by something more than nominal damages.

Judgment was given for jche sum of £25, with the costs of L the Court. amounting to £7 13/.